Multiple switch



Jan. 15, 1929, A J. F. WEILAND IULTIPLE SWITCH Filed Janf'4, 19

2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 15, 1929. 1,699,172

J. F. WEILAND IULTIPLE SWITCH File'd Jan. 4. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 9: la n d Jam 8.6 F. W

ATTORNEY.

1 46 ated, designates te Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES JAMES I. WEILAND, OF OTTER CREEK, IOWA.

MULTIPLE SWITCH.

Application filed January This invention relates to multiple switches,

and has for its main object to provide a com-- pact multiple switch of novel construction that is equipped with an eflicient means tor 5 operating the controlling elements of the switch.

I Another object of my invention is to provide a multiple switch that comprises a plurality of controlling elements, and a devlce that is adapted to be operated so as to restore the operative controlling element or elements to its or their normal position or positions.

A further object is to provide a multiple switch of the above kind which is simple and durable in construction as well as efiicient in operation. c Other objects will appear as the nature of the. invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Fi ure 1 is a top. plan view of a multiple switc constructed in accordance with the present invention;

' Figure 2 is a view'similar to Figure 1 with the cover plate of the switch removed;

Figure 3 is a section taken upon line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure-4 is a section taken upon line H of,

Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view 1llustrating the manner of wiring the switch in the circuits of a trafiic signalling device for motor vehicles.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a switch constructed in accordance with my erably guided by invention that is particularly designed for use on an automobile for overning the operation of a traflic signalling evice provided with indicators or signals that are electrically operhousing or casing, preferably in the form of a rectangular pan,

' which isprovided atits top with a cover plate 6 in which the controlling elements of the switch are mounted. The switch herein shown is provided with four electric controlling elements, eachaof which governs an independent electrical circuit, such, for example, as circuits in which independently-operated signals are arranged.

The selective controlling elements of the switch preferably consists of four push but- 4, 1926. Serial No. 79,231.

tone 7, each of which is operatively connected to a switch lever 8, or other suitable form of electrical connector thatcooperates with a contact 9 to which one wire 10 of an electric circuit leads, as shown in Figure 5, the switch lever 8 being provided at its outer end with a portion that engages its cooperating contact when the push button 7 to which the switch lever is connected is depressed. The push buttons 7 are slidably mounted in the cover plate 6 of the switch housing, and each push button is provided with a depending arm 11 that is slidably and pivotally connected to the switch lever with which the push button co operates the lower end of the arm 11 prefer ably having a pin which passes through an elongated slot 12 in the switch lever. The push buttons 7 are arranged concentric with relation to the center of the switch housing as shown in Figure 1, and the switch levers 9 are arranged at right angles to each other and in such a manner that the inner ends of said levers will terminate at approximately the center of the switch housing while the outer ends of said levers terminate at the corners of the switch housing. Intermediate the corners and the center of the switch housing are four vertically disposed posts 13, and rigid with and depending from the switch levers 8 intermediate the ends of the latter are arms 14 which are pivoted on the posts 13. i

The switch embodies a re-setting element, preferably in the form of a push button 15 that is arranged at the center of the cover plate '6 of the switch housing and which is adapted to be depressed so as to restore the push button or buttons 7 that is or are operative,'to an inoperative position. The push button or re-setting element 15 is prefmeans of a post 16 fixed to and projecting upwardly from the center of the bottom wall of the housing 5, and the re-setting element or push button 15 is further normally yieldingly held,

in raised position by means of a helical tension spring 17 which surrounds the post 16 between the bottom wall of the housing 5 and I the bottom of the push button 15. The contacts 9 are preferably mounted upon triangular plates 18 of insulating material rigidly secured as by riveting or the like as at 19 upon the bottom of and within the casing or hous ing 5. The posts 13 are preferably riveted in openings provided in the bottom of-the housing 5 at the inner edges of the insulating plates 18, and the cover plate 6 is held in position by .means of screws 20 which pass throughthe cover plate and are threaded into inwardly projecting ears 21 rigid with "the upper portion of the housing. 55 Ihe "switch .is provided with means jfor quickly snapping .the switch levers '8 into *their operative and inoperative positions and iforgpreventing them from moving accideni'tallyoutof the position to which they'have beenimoved. This means preferably consists :ina; pair of helical tension springs 22 attached ::at their? lower'ends to the bottom of the housiing 5aat opposite sides of eachpost'l3xand 1 connected at their other ends tothe endsof the-aXle'o'f-a roller22 movable in a' longitudimilgelongated slot providcdfin the intermedisate portion of; the adj acent' switch lever-.8; at the'g'point where the'associated arm 14k joins said switch lever .8. ;In this-waya past-center 520 Cdevlice is provided for'each switch lever which :performsathe ifunction mentioned. -In other -:words, when :a; push button 7 is depressedits attached-switch? lever 8 is swung'so that its outer end moves toward the cooperating con- 1-228 rtact 9=and the lever assumesan outwardly inclined'positionwhereby theassociated springs :22-'cause%the'z-rolle s to pass outwardly ofaa ivertical plane '2 intersecting the pivotal conanectiono'f the arm l4 ofsaid switch lever with caozthe :associated' post 113, and whereupon the lever-8 is; givenia'finalswinging move- ;mentlitotcircuit :closingposition by means or Eathespi'ings22 inan expeditious and e'fiicient :anann'er. frSimilarly,should-any of'the switch 235 i levers T); ?be in a circuit i'ClOSlIIg position as showirwith respectto one f the switch levers depression of the'push button or (controlling-element E 'willefi'ect-swinging of rsai dswitclr-lever or levers-8 so as to cause 'diszen-gagementof i the'outer: end or endsthereof iffromtheaassociated contacts-9 until the/asso- R ciated::spi'ings :22 cause "the "associated roller rorrollerstqpass inwardly oi the pivot center eiomthetpost'oriposts;I3, whereupon theswitch e Zlevercori-leverssareithen, given; a quick-'tfinal iby' suchaassociated springs.

,iErorn'theiabove it. willbe'seen thatthe preseent zswitch'embo'dies a pluralityof independ- :zimovementto inwardly inclined openposition e aientlysaii'diselectively operable switch levers'or' switch levers-8 areelectricailly connected .to-

.gether and to one side of a source of electricity illustrated at S,the;return=si.des of all of the signal lamps being. connected bywiring as at .10 with. the. other sifde of" the source of electricity. ,Itis thus apparent that any desired pair of signal lamps: maybe. readily rendered operative by depressing the-proper push but-- ton, and should "a different pair of signal lamps bethereafter desiredoperative, the

same maybe accomplished by depressing the necessary other push button'y7, after the first mentioned push button "and E itsswitch lever have been retu-rned-iito circuit breaking .position by depression of the controlling element or push button 115. l'However, whilefthe invention has I been "described as particularly useful in'controllinga pluralityof independently operablef trafiic signal devices, it is neverthelessito be: understood that the invention is capable ofageneral' use for controlling any desired j plurality (if-circuits embodying in- .de endentlyxoperable translating devices.

f desired, the" housing! 5" may be; provided with a' plurality of knockeout plugsl23 in the sides thereoffor "facilitating; introduction of connectors into the housing a for connection with the several-connectorsand contacts. A

- multiple switch oftheconstruction above described, is compactfdurable'randieflicient in 1 operation, and maybemanufactured cheaply.

it is believed that the construction and operatio'nas .well' asithe advantages ofthe pres- I ent' invention :will be readily'understood and V appreciated by;those-skilled inithe art, from the foregoingdescription.

' The,electricalconnectionbetween the levers includes 1 a warningilamp 124 rcarried [by a socket mounted-iin the' faceor-icover: plate'6, so: that, the lam'p124 will belighted whenever .a switch lever 8=is in circuiteclosing'position. In this way,theidriver will :be able to readily ascertain whether.or'not asetofsignal' lights aareburning;

WhatI:=clai=1n asnewis:v 3 1. ."A switch structure of: 'the'zcharacterfdeblade, a main-control:buttomarranged over the inner ends of-Fthe blades, and a resilient control: element associated with each blade and having sliding connection therewith in .the slot adjacentrthe-supporting-arm, to im- Bandithe-souree of-xeleetricity s preferably part a snap action to the movement of the blade, and contacts arranged for engagement by the blades when the same are in active position.

2. A switch structure of the character described, comprising a casing having a movable top plate, a plurality of switch blades within the casing and directed toward a cen tral point, a supporting arm extending downwardly from each of said blades intermediate the ends thereof and having pivotal connection with the bottom, of said casing, each of said blades having a longitudinallyextending slot formed therethrough one adjacent the inner end of the supportlng arm and the other at the outer end of the blade, a button associated with each blade and freely reciprocable through said cover plate, a sliding pivotal connection between the inner end of each button and the slot in the end of the adjacent blade, a central button arranged to engage the inner ends of the switch blades for simultaneously actuating all of the blades a sliding element in the other slot of each blade, a spring member connecting each of said sliding elements with the casing to impart a snap action to the blades, and a contact arranged adjacent each of said blades for engagement with the same when in operative position.

, In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JAMES F. WEILAND. 

